Guidelines: Ceremonies Commemorating Groundbreakings, Dedications and Naming of Buildings, Facilities and interior spaces (classrooms, meeting rooms, etc.)
A groundbreaking is a ceremony designed to symbolically "break ground" at a location that has officially been approved for new construction and to honor those that have made the acquirement of the land and/or new construction possible.
A dedication is a ceremony that commemorates the completion and opening of a new building or major renovation that symbolically "dedicates" the building in honor of a person or persons that have made the construction or renovation possible.
A naming is a ceremony that officially recognizes the approval of a building, classroom, wing of a building, etc. being named after a person.
The purpose of all of these ceremonies is to recognize, donors, architects, contractors, public officials, and other major stakeholders involved in the project.
Groundbreakings should be held only if there are donors or other entities involved that warrant recognition. Dedications should be held if there are donors involved that warrant recognition or if it is determined that the new building, or major renovation, holds special significance (historical, research, educational, public service, etc.) to the university and/or to the community at large.
When possible, a naming should be scheduled concurrently with the dedication.
Following are guidelines to assist in planning and scheduling a groundbreaking, dedication, or naming:
- The appropriate dean/director/vice president will preside at the dedication.
- The office of the president should be notified as soon as a date is chosen for the event.
- Costs shall be budgeted and borne by the appropriate college/unit.
Speakers should include the following and may include those indicated as optional:
- President or Provost
- Dean, Director or VP
- Donor or Representative Group of Donors
- Faculty (optional)
- Student (optional)
- VIP Alumni (optional)
A planning committee should be formed by an administrator or representative of the applicable college or unit and members should include, but not be limited to:
- The Dean, Director, Vice President, or other administrative representative from the college or unit
- Director of Presidential Events, President's Office
- Director of Special Events, University of Florida Foundation
- The development officer for the college or unit
- The event director/coordinator for the college or unit
- The committee should initially meet at least six months prior to the date of the ceremony.
- Ceremonies should be scheduled during normal business hours when possible.
- The ceremony should be festive, fast-paced and each speaker's remarks limited to three minutes or less.
- For dedications, an open house should immediately precede or follow the ceremony.
- Light refreshments should be provided.
The office of the president will provide as much, or as little, guidance as requested with:
- The scheduling of the President to attend or preside when required or requested
- The guest list
- Design of the invitation, printed program, and press release with assistance from the News and Public Affairs Department of University Relations
- The agenda and order of events
- Event set-up, entertainment, audiovisual, and catering consultation
- Guest parking and security
Download this document in MS Word format.
For information, please email Donna K. Stricker, donnas@ufl.edu